LAAC Chairman calls for urgent action to combat Nigeria’s aviation sector challenges
The Chairman of the League of Airport and Aviation Correspondents (LAAC), Comrade Suleiman Idris has called for immediate and comprehensive measures to address the mounting challenges facing Nigeria’s aviation sector.
Highlighting critical issues such as infrastructure deficits, regulatory bottlenecks, and financial instability, the Idris underscored the urgent need for coordinated efforts from both government and industry stakeholders to ensure the sector’s sustainability and growth.
Comrade Idris made this passionate appeal at the 28th Annual Conference of the League, themed “Aviation Survivability Amidst A Challenging Macro-Economic Environment,” held on Friday at the Providence Hotel in Ikeja, Lagos.
Addressing the gathering, Idris recalled last year’s conference, where the focus was on evolving strategies to navigate changing times.
However, he noted that the economic downturn over the past year was unforeseen and has had severe impacts on the aviation industry. “No soothsayer could have forecast that the national economy would take a plunge so much to the depth we have seen within one year,” he said.
He said the theme of this year’s conference was chosen in response to significant economic constraints, including limited access to foreign exchange, weakening currency, soaring fuel costs, and deteriorating airport infrastructure.
The LAAC Chairman noted the capital-intensive nature of the aviation industry, which relies heavily on foreign exchange for equipment acquisition, maintenance, and training.
According to him, the recent policy shift to float the local currency has led to high inflation, reducing disposable income and diminishing the appeal of air travel for many Nigerians.
“For Nigerians who travel by air, it has been an agonising experience since the Naira started its free fall against major foreign currencies,” Idris stated.
He highlighted the exorbitant costs faced by airlines and passengers alike, with domestic flight prices exceeding N200,000 for a one-hour journey and the cost of aviation fuel becoming prohibitive.
Idris also touched on the struggles of various service providers within the aviation value chain, from airlines to ground handlers and regulatory agencies, all grappling with the current macro-economic challenges.
He stressed the necessity for stakeholders to collaborate and develop strategies to overcome these hurdles, stating, “No stakeholder is exempted from the effect of the industry’s current challenges. This is one of the major reasons that we are gathered here today to brainstorm and exchange ideas.”
Recognising aviation as a critical gateway to economic development, Idris expressed hope that the conference would yield solutions to propel the industry forward. He urged the Federal Government to reconsider its decision requiring 50 percent of internally generated revenue from certain agencies to be remitted to the government, suggesting that easing this burden could support the industry’s recovery.
“As stakeholders in Nigeria’s aviation industry, LAAC’s topmost priority is that every facet of Nigeria’s aviation industry improves in terms of performance,” Idris concluded.
The LAAC Conference 2024 aims to address the pressing issues facing Nigeria’s aviation sector and foster collaborative recommendations for policy formulation towards sustainable growth and development.
